Overnight setups in ice fishing tents. Let's see them

sureshot · #1 12-07-2016, 11:33 PM

Since it's that time of year again I thought it would be interesting to see how everyone sets up their tents for overnights on the ice. This will be my first year for overnight on the ice.

RavYak · #2 12-08-2016, 12:38 AM

Overnight necessities are as follows.

Big tent: 6120i has a nice layout for overnighters, fatfish 9416i are good too. 6 mans like a quickfish 6 are ok but kind of tricky to fit 2 people in depending on cot sizes and gear. I really like the 6120i for overnights, it is a shorter tent and insulated so keeps the tent warm and the heat low. You can arrange one cot on each side and have an open space in the middle to get in and out and move around, also allows you to have heater in the middle(we put it in middle at one end) so both people are equally warm. On the tent side of cot can drill 2 holes each(1 in each corner) and have room for flasher, jaw jackers etc in that space.

Cots: A must have, tent temperatures range from freezing at ground level to probably 20 deg at the roof. They higher up you get the warmer you will be.

Air mattress: The cold air is below you and without an air mattress you will feel it.

Bedding: Most people would probably want a decent sleeping bag, don't use anything too fancy though because will probably get wet or fish slimed at some point. I often just use an old blanket if it is warm enough but I am a walking furnace lol.

Floor mats: Lay these out to keep the ice from melting, increase traction and so you can remove boots.

Heater: You need a good heater, the bigger the better as you can always turn them down. Single sunflower or a big buddy with hose attachment are the way to go. Don't waste time or money with the small propane bottles. If you are using a large non insulated tent you might even want a double sunflower or just don't go out on the stupid cold days.

Cooler: If going for multiple days and spending time outside of a heated tent/vehicle you probably want a cooler to try and keep food and drinks from freezing. Make sure you bring it in the tent when possible.

Food heater: We often take a small bbq or camp stove and a jetboil. Warm food and drinks are a huge benefit especially if out for multiple days. Some people rig up their heaters to cook above them but we already had this other stuff which works better.

That is pretty much what you need minus the last 2 if just doing a simple overnight. Here are some pics of our setup when we did Lake Athabasca last year.

Hang clothes from the roof to keep them warm and dry.

sureshot · #3 12-08-2016, 12:50 AM

Cool pics. I have a quickfish 6, 2 buddy heaters which I'll run off of a 20lb tank. Was also thinking of rigging it up with the silver insulation.

Battery · #4 12-08-2016, 08:57 AM

No pics of ours, but we have a 4-6 man (cant remember how big) Insulated Otter ice shelter. Fit 3 cots side by side with a propane tank at our feet and one of those big heaters that sits on top. Put down those puzzle pieces for the floor. We did have a second heated tent for fishing. Nice and cozy!

Kingfisher8 · #5 12-08-2016, 10:17 AM

Ice fishing In Feb

ak-71 · #6 12-08-2016, 10:57 AM

I kept it semi-simple tent, cote (not for warmth but to be further from the water), sleeping mat (the foam one with reflective side) and -35C rated bag with liner, covering the ice is good too. I keep heater off when sleeping - more moisture, not very safe and not necessary with a good bag. One reason to keep it on is to keep hole and drinking water from freezing, but closing the hole usually works and for water - I remelt ice from cutting large soda bottles when they freeze (easier than melting snow and I don't trust boiling lake water here).
The coldest temp I actually tested my sleeping setup was below -40C in a backyard, and if you have poor sleeping mat water vapor from body makes sleeping bag to freeze to the mat and somewhat cool to sleep. So good mat is important. Ventilation is important too. Sleeping bag may have some frost on the outer shell, but it's normal, easy to shake off in the morning and doesn't mean it's cold to sleep.

RavYak · #7 12-08-2016, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sureshot

Cool pics. I have a quickfish 6, 2 buddy heaters which I'll run off of a 20lb tank. Was also thinking of rigging it up with the silver insulation.

I have the quickfish 6 with insulated roof. It isn't quite long enough to put both of our cots lengthwise so what we do is put one on one side of the tent and one on the other. It doesn't hold the heat in as good as our 6120i but I slept in it on Cold Lake with -30 and wind blowing, I had to sleep with the heater just a coupe feet away but I was warm.

That is actually one key to staying warm, if you orient yourself so you can absorb some of the heat directly instead of just relying on the inside temperature to be warm then you can get by on using a lot less propane. Part of why I like using my old green banket as the dark colour absorbs the infrared heat and keeps it warm even though there isn't really that much insulation quality.

With two buddy heaters, one at each end you should be toasty warm I would think.

7magtime · #8 12-10-2016, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RavYak

Overnight necessities are as follows.

Big tent: 6120i has a nice layout for overnighters, fatfish 9416i are good too. 6 mans like a quickfish 6 are ok but kind of tricky to fit 2 people in depending on cot sizes and gear. I really like the 6120i for overnights, it is a shorter tent and insulated so keeps the tent warm and the heat low. You can arrange one cot on each side and have an open space in the middle to get in and out and move around, also allows you to have heater in the middle(we put it in middle at one end) so both people are equally warm. On the tent side of cot can drill 2 holes each(1 in each corner) and have room for flasher, jaw jackers etc in that space.

Cots: A must have, tent temperatures range from freezing at ground level to probably 20 deg at the roof. They higher up you get the warmer you will be.

Air mattress: The cold air is below you and without an air mattress you will feel it.

Bedding: Most people would probably want a decent sleeping bag, don't use anything too fancy though because will probably get wet or fish slimed at some point. I often just use an old blanket if it is warm enough but I am a walking furnace lol.

Floor mats: Lay these out to keep the ice from melting, increase traction and so you can remove boots.

Heater: You need a good heater, the bigger the better as you can always turn them down. Single sunflower or a big buddy with hose attachment are the way to go. Don't waste time or money with the small propane bottles. If you are using a large non insulated tent you might even want a double sunflower or just don't go out on the stupid cold days.

Cooler: If going for multiple days and spending time outside of a heated tent/vehicle you probably want a cooler to try and keep food and drinks from freezing. Make sure you bring it in the tent when possible.

Food heater: We often take a small bbq or camp stove and a jetboil. Warm food and drinks are a huge benefit especially if out for multiple days. Some people rig up their heaters to cook above them but we already had this other stuff which works better.

That is pretty much what you need minus the last 2 if just doing a simple overnight. Here are some pics of our setup when we did Lake Athabasca last year.

Hang clothes from the roof to keep them warm and dry.

Great gear info and pics RavYak! I've been considering trying an overnight or 2 with my 9416. Have most of the gear you mentioned, might have to give it a go this season.....

Willowtrail · #9 12-10-2016, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7magtime

Great gear info and pics RavYak! I've been considering trying an overnight or 2 with my 9416. Have most of the gear you mentioned, might have to give it a go this season.....

When I stay over night and can drive on, I take sheets of osb for a floor. Helps keep my feet dry in the middle of the night when I have to run to the can.

I also raise my buddy heater up on a milk crate so it doesn't warm the plywood and melt the ice underneath. It create sloppy plywood with lots of water underneath.

I run a couple battery powered fan/light combos on the ceiling. Put them on the roof poles and angle them to circulate the air.

We've been doing over night trips for 5 years now, every year we think of a few things to make it easier, more convenient and comfortable.

7magtime · #10 12-11-2016, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willowtrail

When I stay over night and can drive on, I take sheets of osb for a floor. Helps keep my feet dry in the middle of the night when I have to run to the can.

I also raise my buddy heater up on a milk crate so it doesn't warm the plywood and melt the ice underneath. It create sloppy plywood with lots of water underneath.

I run a couple battery powered fan/light combos on the ceiling. Put them on the roof poles and angle them to circulate the air.

We've been doing over night trips for 5 years now, every year we think of a few things to make it easier, more convenient and comfortable.

Great info Willowtrail, thanks for sharing!

Robbiej · #11 12-11-2016, 08:39 AM

I am still finishing mine (overnight camper not tent) but here is a picture of the "bench end". The table collapses and there are boards behind the cushion that turn the back half of this trailer into a 6'x6' bed. The two holes on the hitch end can still be used when the bed is made. Haven't taken it for its maiden voyage/over night trip yet; should be done next week

neilsledder · #12 12-08-2016, 06:03 PM

Went once last year but planning more this. I don't camp on the ice but use an outfitters tent on shore. We quad into a nice sized lake and set it up. That way we can sleep and stay comfortable with the wood stove. The down fall is no fishing all night long!

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biggyJ · #13 12-08-2016, 06:10 PM

What do you do about CO?

We stayed in the ice last year, and I had a horrible sleep because I kept thinking I wouldn't wake up with the big buddy on.

We had vents, but I was still worried.

Jims83cj5 · #14 10-18-2021, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biggyJ

What do you do about CO?

We stayed in the ice last year, and I had a horrible sleep because I kept thinking I wouldn't wake up with the big buddy on.

We had vents, but I was still worried.

It’s a valid concern, I tried to use a big buddy in my cargo trailer with two vents, the low oxygen sensor kept shutting it off

Jims83cj5 · #15 10-18-2021, 09:24 PM

I use a 6x12 single axle cargo trailer. Insulated with 3/4 plywood on the sides, insulated roof and spray foamed floor, k trac on the walls with one bunk as a couch and a fold down bunk above that hooked to the tracking. A 4 kw planer diesel heater, two burner stove sites on the counter and a 600 watt solar panel set up with 4 agm batteries that run a 3000 watt inverter for the fridge and tv. Pull up the hole extensions and you can set up again in five minutes, electric auger so no fumes, I kinda like it. But sorry it’s not a tent

Lowrance Fishburn · #16 10-19-2021, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jims83cj5

I use a 6x12 single axle cargo trailer. Insulated with 3/4 plywood on the sides, insulated roof and spray foamed floor, k trac on the walls with one bunk as a couch and a fold down bunk above that hooked to the tracking. A 4 kw planer diesel heater, two burner stove sites on the counter and a 600 watt solar panel set up with 4 agm batteries that run a 3000 watt inverter for the fridge and tv. Pull up the hole extensions and you can set up again in five minutes, electric auger so no fumes, I kinda like it. But sorry it’s not a tent

I have basically the exact same setup although we have a wood burning stove. Works great and beats any tent...Have done that too but is 1000X more effort.

Supergrit · #17 12-08-2016, 06:13 PM

Anyone ever try a zodi tent heater it would be safer and probably cut down on your condensation inside the tent.

Kurt505 · #18 12-08-2016, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilsledder

Went once last year but planning more this. I don't camp on the ice but use an outfitters tent on shore. We quad into a nice sized lake and set it up. That way we can sleep and stay comfortable with the wood stove. The down fall is no fishing all night long!

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Why not set up on the ice? I was thinking about taking my tent out on the ice this winter, was thinking maybe just laying out some plywood on the ice.

neilsledder · #19 12-08-2016, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt505

Why not set up on the ice? I was thinking about taking my tent out on the ice this winter, was thinking maybe just laying out some plywood on the ice.

I don't have the metal pole tent frame, and there is already a hunting camp on the edge of the lake.

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Dragless · #20 12-08-2016, 07:21 PM

My friend says he's put up his outfitters tent on slave a few times I don't know how he said it up tho something about drilling a bunch of diagonal holes in the ice and 2x3 boards... He said worked really good tho.

neilsledder · #21 12-08-2016, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragless

My friend says he's put up his outfitters tent on slave a few times I don't know how he said it up tho something about drilling a bunch of diagonal holes in the ice and 2x3 boards... He said worked really good tho.

That would work good!

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mlee · #22 10-25-2021, 08:00 PM

650xd here....plenty of room for 2 cots a play pen and an area for the little one. We did about 5 or 6 overnight trips last year....its a great setup. Foam floor and a big buddy and we were more than comfortable in a couple -30 nights. I don't have a full panoramic pic but you get the idea. During the day we move the cots into an L shape and use them to keep the rug rat contained lol. That may not work as well this winter.

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AlbertanGP · #23 10-25-2021, 08:20 PM

I'm really looking forward to getting a hex hub. The 9416i is a great tent, but it's overkill for one person. And the Lodge is just a bit too small for all the crap I tend to bring.

On a separate note, I was just at Canadian Tire to pick up some butane for the new stove and a new CO monitor. The Kidde CO monitors are 25% off this week. The foam flooring was also on sale for a good price.

mlee · #24 10-25-2021, 09:23 PM

You'll love it. I had to have something I could set up by myself if needed (mom gets busy lol). I can have the tent up floor in and heat going in under 10 minutes alone. If it's a snowmobile day....I go set up then come back for mom and the little one.

Poppa · #25 10-26-2021, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlee

650xd here....plenty of room for 2 cots a play pen and an area for the little one. We did about 5 or 6 overnight trips last year....its a great setup. Foam floor and a big buddy and we were more than comfortable in a couple -30 nights. I don't have a full panoramic pic but you get the idea. During the day we move the cots into an L shape and use them to keep the rug rat contained lol. That may not work as well this winter.

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really appreciate your post and the pictures. We (very thankfully) don't have a kid, but my wife likes to bring a **** ton of stuff we don't need. This tent looks really good. Still think I'd spend the extra 200 bucks or whatever to get the Resort and an extra 20sq ft of fishing space, but this is definitely an option.....

mlee · #26 10-26-2021, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poppa

really appreciate your post and the pictures. We (very thankfully) don't have a kid, but my wife likes to bring a **** ton of stuff we don't need. This tent looks really good. Still think I'd spend the extra 200 bucks or whatever to get the Resort and an extra 20sq ft of fishing space, but this is definitely an option.....

Lol....with a toddler we also have a crap ton of stuff. The 650xd is 94sq ft....the resort is 101....so 7 square ft difference. I looked at both before opting for the eskimo....the full size door sealed the deal and honestly now that I've had that feature I would never want to go back to a triangle door.

AlbertanGP · #27 10-26-2021, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlee

Lol....with a toddler we also have a crap ton of stuff. The 650xd is 94sq ft....the resort is 101....so 7 square ft difference. I looked at both before opting for the eskimo....the full size door sealed the deal and honestly now that I've had that feature I would never want to go back to a triangle door.

I'm not sold on the door in the Outbreaks since it runs right to the ground and I worry it could freeze in. Still, Otter is starting to make similar hubs with full length doors...the Vortex Pros...which is a sign that the Outbreak full door design is popular. Otter just released the Vortex Pro Lodge this season, which has identical dimensions to the Outbreak 450XD. They'll probably release the Vortex Pro Resort next season, and it will likely be in the neighborhood of 110 sq. ft. I'd buy one of those. But I'm not waiting all year to get into a hex hub.

mlee · #28 10-26-2021, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlbertanGP

I'm not sold on the door in the Outbreaks since it runs right to the ground and I worry it could freeze in. Still, Otter is starting to make similar hubs with full length doors...the Vortex Pros...which is a sign that the Outbreak full door design is popular. Otter just released the Vortex Pro Lodge this season, which has identical dimensions to the Outbreak 450XD. They'll probably release the Vortex Pro Resort next season, and it will likely be in the neighborhood of 110 sq. ft. I'd buy one of those. But I'm not waiting all year to get into a hex hub.

Never had a door issue at all....maybe if you spentv3 days in the hut without ever opening it lol....but we did a late winter weekend....+3 during the day -10 overnight and I didn't have to fight the door at 5am for a pee.

58thecat · #29 10-26-2021, 09:36 AM

I should not have opened this thread up….still bird hunting and whitetail just a few days away….some great set up you folks have….awesome!

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Yukongold · #30 10-26-2021, 10:28 AM

Good setups for sure but we are not hearing the whole story of the adventures. Tell us about getting caught in a 100km gale out in the open with the wife and kids. Not trying to be a smartxxx but this is the reality when you do this on regular basis. I have been doing it a long time and shelter in the bush is much more relaxing. There are going to be trips when everything works out perfect but then again..................... Going for a night or two is one thing. Going for a week is a different ball game.